Emergency Plan of Action operation update Guyana: Floods

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1 Emergency Plan of Action operation update Guyana: Floods DREF Operation MDRGY002 Date of issue: 9 November 2015 Operation start date: 1 August 2015 Overall operation budget: 148,142 Swiss francs (CHF) Glide no. FL GUY Timeframe covered by this update: 1 August to 31 October 2015 Expected timeframe: 4 months Number of people to be assisted: 2,020 (404 families) Other partner organizations actively involved in the operation: The Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Regional Democratic Councils, the Ministry of the Presidency, Environmental Protection Agency and the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown. <Click here to view the contact information> Summary Summary of changes made to the emergency plan of action: Revisions have been made to the emergency plan of action following the publication of the intermediate report and after the Guyana Red Cross Society s (GRCS) detailed assessments indicated that some of the targeted communities had since returned to normal. Consequently, there was a reduction in the number of target communities and the number of beneficiaries and activities. In addition, a no-cost extension for one month to finalize implementation of the activities has been requested by the Guyana Red Cross Society. Below is a summary of the revisions made to the emergency operation to date: Reduction in the target number of communities: From (9 to 5) and families (from 500 to 404). Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: This sector continues to be a high priority; however, given the emerging needs and the time that has elapsed since the initial start of the operation, there is no longer a requirement for the provision of hygiene kits to the affected families. Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods: Due to the time elapsed between the flooding and the acquisition of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), the National Society determined that this may no longer be an immediate need for the people affected by the flood as the water has receded. As a result, this component will be eliminated from the emergency operation. Extension: The Guyana Red Society requested a 1-month extension. On 1 August 2015, the Guyana Red Cross Society was allocated the sum of CHF 148,142 from the International Federation of Red cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) s DREF, to support the delivery of assistance to 2,500 people (500 families). The operation is expected to be implemented over a three-month period and be completed by 31 October Through this DREF operations update, the National Society reports progress on activities and delays for the activities proposed under the water and sanitation and livelihoods sectors. Heavy continuous rains and subsequent flooding in Guyana mainly affected the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 regions, causing damage to housing and affecting the livelihoods and water and sanitation of 199,000 people. The Guyana Red Cross Society has started to address and meet the humanitarian needs of 2,500 people in the ten selected communities. The National Society has met with the local authorities and coordinated with the communities to provide assistance

2 and conducted field visits and assessments. To date, 1,000 long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLINs), 500 filters and 500 jerry cans have been allocated for distribution in the selected communities. Detailed assessments have been completed in four communities: Imbotero, Smiths Creek, Kaiburi and Friendship. A. Situation analysis Description of the disaster Heavy rains in July 2015 caused severe flooding in five regions in Guyana: Barima-Waini, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Essequibo Islands- West Demerara, Demerara-Mahaica and Mahaica- Berbice. The floods affected various parts of the regions and resulted in varying degrees of damage to housing and buildings, livestock and farms, cash crops and water and sanitation facilities. A flooded street, yard and home in Georgetown. Source: GRCS Initial assessments have affirmed the need for relief items such as LLIN mosquito nets, hygiene kits, food parcels and storage for drinking water. Additionally, the reports highlighted the need to address water and sanitation issues, particularly garbage disposal and consumption of potable water and livelihood assistance; this is due to the fact that some of the communities depend entirely on livestock and farming and their main source of food and income has been severely affected, thereby significantly reducing their capacity to meet their basic needs. Selected communities Based on the analysis of the ongoing assessments carried out by the National Society in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission, Regional Democratic Councils, the Ministry of the Presidency, and Georgetown s mayor and City Council, the following communities were selected for this DREF operation: Region 1: Imbotero and Smith s Creek in the Barima River Region 2: Kaiburi and Friendship in the Pomeroon River Region 3: Crane Phase #2 and Metermerzorg communities Region 4: Albouystown, Lodge and Ruimveldt communities Region 5: Moraikobai The selection of these communities was based on the severity of the damages sustained and their level of vulnerability. Summary of current response Overview of Host National Society During the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in July, the Guyana Red Cross Society sent out nationwide alerts to the teams and branches with the aim of monitoring the level of rainfall and its possible effects. The gathered information was then reported to the GRCS s headquarters for compilation and analysis. During the emergency phase, in coordination with the relevant authorities, the National Society and its volunteers supported the establishment of collective centres and the distribution of relief items, such as food, hygiene kits and eating utensils. The community disaster response teams helped to evacuate families, conduct preliminary assessments and continued to monitor the situation to provide information to the GRCS s headquarters. The National Society's headquarters, which is located in central Georgetown, continued to monitor and track the information sent by the branches. In addition, coordination and communication with the Office of the Presidency, Below: The National Society s flooded compound. Source: GRCS

3 the Civil Defence Commission, the local authorities and the communities occurred. Additional actions undertaken by the Guyana Red Cross Society since the start of the emergency operation include: The hiring of the operations coordinator. Monitoring visits by the National Society including meetings with the local authorities for regions 1, 2, 3 and 5 as well as with Georgetown s mayor and City Council. 1 month deployment of a Regional Intervention Team (RIT) General to support the emergency operation National Society participation in weekly meetings chaired by the Civil Defence Commission and attended by its platform members and other stakeholders on the disaster situation as scheduled. Monitoring visit by the IFRC Completion of assessments for the affected communities including Kaiburi, Friendship, Morokobai, Smiths Creek and Imbotero. Relief items will be distributed to all families in the affected communities of Kaiburi (47), Friendship (100), Morokobai (130), Smiths Creek (35) and Imbotero (32). Approximately 60 families from Albouystown that were temporarily displaced and housed in emergency collective centres will receive relief items. 2 press releases on the emergency operation were issued 6 telephones were purchased to support Open Data Kit (ODK) assessments Procurement of the LLIN mosquito nets, water filters and jerry cans have been completed. The Guyana Red Cross Society continued to promote and maintain close communication and coordination with the Civil Defence Commission and other partner agencies. Overview of the Red Cross Movement in country In July 2015, a plan of action, with the support of the IFRC regional disaster management coordinator, was drawn up and submitted while continued damaged assessments were being conducted. PADRU continued to support the emergency operation. A RIT General was also deployed to support the operation in varying capacities as requested by the National Society and in line with the emergency plan of action. The IFRC s Finance Department also conducted a virtual finance workshop for the National Society. Movement Coordination The Guyana Red Cross Society maintained regular contact with the IFRC through the provision of information about the situations and the operations. A visit was made by the IFRC regional disaster coordinator for the Caribbean, and a RIT member was deployed to support the operation. Overview of non-rcrc actors in country As the lead national agency responsible for emergency management, the CDC provided support to the affected communities through the distribution of water and cleaning supplies. Long boots and cellular phone credit was provided to all of the collective centre personnel. The CDC reported that various government agencies were conducting sectorial assessments in the affected areas. 1. Guyana Power and Lights Inc. - Has returned to normal operations nationwide. 2. Guyana Water Inc. - Continued normal operations and remains on alert to respond if required. 3. Ministry of Public Health - Environmental Health Officers continued to conduct assessments at established collective centres and affected communities in all of the regions. 4. Ministry of Agriculture - The Ministry of Agriculture s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and other departments of the Ministry of Agriculture worked continuously to ensure the proper drainage of all of the communities and the operationalization of all of the pumps and sluices. 5. Guyana Police Force - patrolled of the Conservancy between Providence and Flagstaff. 6. Environmental Protection Agency has teams on standby to assist in assessment activities. 7. Guyana Defence Force (GDF) conducted patrols in the conservancy, additionally, the GDF assisted the CDC in assessments of the affected communities. 8. Ministry of Public Infrastructure The Guyana Hydro-meteorological Department (Hydromet) monitored weather conditions and provided regular updates. 9. Guyana Livestock Development Authority - Field staff continued to monitor the situation and conducted assessments in the affected communities. Additionally, the chief veterinary officer and chief veterinary public

4 health officers were advised to strengthen the surveillance of all meat products (ante-mortem and postmortem). 10. National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute conducted crop damage assessments in the affected regions. 11. Mayor and City Council continued to monitor the situation and clear blockages to drainage. Needs analysis and scenario planning Needs were identified during the initial and detailed assessments of the emergency and remain relatively consistent with the emerging situation. The findings of the joint assessment conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and supported by the Guyana Red Cross Society indicated a need for emergency relief, which included the following: a. Dredging of the various outfalls b. Deployment of pumps to non-functional and functional kokers/sluices to improve their respective drainage capacity c. Distribution of cleaning supplies to residents of the affected communities d. Supply of perishable (food and water) and nonperishables to identified communities e. Detailed sectorial damage assessment and needs analysis should be conducted Garbage floating in the street during the floods. Source: GRCS Water and Sanitation actions With the affected communities continually exposed to flooding and the resulting damages caused by the July floods, it is acknowledged that water and sanitation conditions in the communities are not ideal and safe, making it necessary to conduct basic sanitation, hygiene, vector and waste management actions in the community, including health education and relief supplies. Relief Supplies In the absence of the previously anticipated rainfall and with four of the affected communities returning to a state of normalcy, the list of items for distribution has been revised to: LLINs Jerry Cans Water filters Risk Analysis The risk assessment identified remains unchanged. B. Operational strategy and plan Overall Objective To respond to the immediate needs of 404 families impacted by the July 2015 floods. Proposed strategy The strategy generally remains the same; however, some changes were made following a consultation with the Guyana Red Cross Society and the findings from detailed assessments, which resulted in the reduction from 9 to 5 targeted communities, from 500 to 404 affected families and the cancellation of the distribution of hygiene kits and food parcels. Operational support services

5 Support services include Human Resources, Logistics and Supply Chains, Communications, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting and Administration and Finance. For more details, click here for the plan of action. Human resources Logistics and supply chain Communications Planning, monitoring, evaluation, & reporting (PMER) Administration and Finance C. Detailed Operational Plan Programming / Areas Common to all Sectors Outcome 1 The operation s implementation is managed in a coordinated manner with a proper implementation and monitoring system Outputs Output 1.1 The operations has been monitored and implemented according to the time frame established in the plan of action Output 1.2 The project s activities are disseminated at the local and national level through an adequate communications system % of achievement Activities Is implementation on time? % progress (estimate) Yes (x) No (x) Hiring of an operations coordinator X 100% Identification and deployment of a RIT Generalist X 100% Monitoring visits to the project area by the GRCS s headquarters X 85% Monitoring visits by the IFRC X 50% Production of press releases X 90% Progress towards outcomes Progress has been made against all of the activities and in line with the emergency appeal s work. 90% 90%

6 Outcome 2 Continuous and detailed evaluation, monitoring and analysis to inform the operation s design and implementation. Activities Outputs Output 1.1 Initial and detailed needs assessments are updated after consulting the beneficiaries. Output 1.2 The Guyana Red Cross Society has an increased understanding of the damage assessment and needs analysis process leading to enhanced support to national emergency response and relief efforts Is implementation on time? % of achievement % progress (estimate) Yes (x) No (x) Performing a rapid assessment X 100% Performing a detailed assessment by mobilizing a National Intervention Team (NIT) team to the affected area and using ODK X 100% Purchase of 2 ODK and Mega V kits X 100% Implementation of a satisfaction survey for beneficiaries using ODK X 0% Production of a report and dissemination of a satisfaction survey X 0% Progress towards outcomes The remaining activities are scheduled for the end of the emergency operation. The lessons identified throughout the emergency operation will be used to enhance the damage assessments process within the National Society as well as to inform the development of a flood contingency plan. Water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion Needs analysis: There are neither reports of fatalities due to the flooding nor increased cases of diarrhea in the affected regions. The Ministry of Health has reported general access to health services despite the increased rainfall. There is no reported disruption to water distribution services. However, the water distribution lines are underwater. Many latrines and wells have been flooded. Affected people continue to drink water from the flooded wells. Population to be assisted: A reduction from 500 to 404 families, whose homes have been severely flooded have access to food and non-food items.

7 Water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion Outcome 1 Increased access to safe water through the dissemination of public messages to 404 families Outcome 2 Improved hygiene practices through the dissemination of public messages to 404 families Activities Outputs Output 1.1 Families affected by the floods have items to store and treat water in the home, which improves access to safe water Output 1.2 The capacity of the Guyana Red Cross Society is strengthened to support health and water and sanitation (WATSAN) interventions Output 2.1 Families have access to hygiene promotion and messages Output 2.2 Families have access to protection from mosquito-borne diseases Is implementation on time? % of achievement 500% 50% % progress (estimate) Yes (x) No (x) Identification and registration of families using ODK, with family and community information properly disaggregated X 100% Acquisition of 500 hygiene kits that meet Sphere Standards X 0% Acquisition of 500 LLINs that meet Sphere Standards X 100% Acquisition of 500 water filters that meet Sphere Standards X 100% Acquisition of 500 jerry cans that meet Sphere Standards X 100% Distribution of 404 LLINs nets, filter kits and jerry cans using ODK and Mega V X 0% Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and vector control management workshops X Filter and jerry can use workshops X 50% Implementation of a beneficiary satisfaction survey X 50% Study of the feasibility of cash transfers X 0% Progress towards outcomes Procurements of the LLINs, water filters, and jerry cans have been completed, and the target families have been identified. The local procurement of hygiene kit items is no longer required due to the period of time that elapsed since the emergency operation and changing needs within the target communities; therefore, it is recommended that the provision of hygiene kits is removed from the emergency operation. The implementation has been delayed for various reasons related to the late receipt of the DREF funds and coordination issues with local stakeholders as a result of competing priorities. Nevertheless, distributions will be completed within the next two weeks. Food security, Nutrition, and Livelihoods Needs analysis: Families were affected by heavy rains and temporarily lost their livelihoods and sources of employment; homes were flooded, causing food to be lost. Families in some of the affected regions are used to a diet of milk, meat, rice, cassava, corn and vegetables. With crop damage assessments underway in the affected regions, there is an immediate need for food due to crop losses. Population to be assisted: A total of 404 families who have lost their food and whose livelihoods have been affected will be assisted.

8 Food security, Nutrition, and Livelihoods Outcome 1 Ensure that families whose livelihoods have been affected have access to basic food items Activities Outputs Output families have access to food that covers their basic needs for two months Is implementation on time? % of achievement 0% % progress (estimate) Yes (x) No (x) Identification and registration of families using ODK, with family and community information properly disaggregated X 0% Purchase of food items to cover the basic needs of 500 families X 0% Distribution of food kits using ODK and Mega V X 0% Implementation of a beneficiary satisfaction survey X 0% Progress towards outcomes Due to the elapsed time between the flooding and the acquisition of the DREF, the National Society determined that this may no longer be an immediate need for people affected by the flood as the water has receded. As a result, this component will be eliminated from the emergency operation. Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: In the National Society: Teni Houty, a.i. chairman, phone: , guyanaredcross@yahoo.com In Barbados: Tamara Lovell, regional disaster management coordination for Anglo- Caribbean, phone: ; tamara.lovell@ifrc.org In Trinidad and Tobago: Lorraine Mangwiro, regional representative for the Caribbean, lorraine.mangwiro@ifrc.org In IFRC regional office: Carlos Inigo Barrena, disaster response and crisis and early recovery coordinator; phone: ; ci.barrena@ifrc.org. Regional Logistics Unit (RLU): Stephany Murrilo, regional office senior logistics & mobilization officer, Phone: ; Stephany.murillo@ifrc.org In Geneva: Cristina Estrada, quality assurance senior officer, phone: ; cristina.estrada@ifrc.org For Performance and Accountability (planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting enquiries): In IFRC regional office: Priscila Gonzalez, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting coordinator; phone: ; priscila.gonzalez@ifrc.org For Resource Mobilization and Pledges: In IFRC regional office: Ursula Araya, Relationship Management Coordinator ; ursula.araya@ifrc.org Click here to return to the title page How we work All IFRC assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO s) in Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. The IFRC s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

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